"Iron Girls" Good End To Howard

Triathlon drew a crowd of thousands lined the course and cheered the competitors start to finish.

"You feel like a celebrity for a moment," said Ferrell, running in the Iron Girl, hearing his name over the loudspeaker. "You feel like you've accomplished something."

Race officials said the course - a swim 0.62 miles, bike and run 17.5 miles - promotes a healthy lifestyle.

"We're trying to create wealth," said President Robert Vigorito TriColumbia non-profit corporation, which produces the race. "We're talking about health, but health care does not start when you have a disease, 35 or 45, you start when you are 4 or 5 years. Then you have to understand what health and fitness is everything.

"Anyone who can not really ask a child to this mother point. And if Mom is a daughter of iron, the children will look at Mom, "Vigorito said." We have an event for children, with 400 children, most children of mothers who is coaching? Daughters of iron. [Daughter Iron] is very difficult, it is very difficult. But it is very inspiring for all women. "

Vigorito, six times the Ironman in Kona runner, is among those who announced: "You are a daughter of Iron" every time a runner has crossed the finish line.

He said the pilots had a timing chip at the ankles, which have made their position by activating a signal when it crossed a marker about 40 yards from the goal. The signal names of the runners on a computer screen at the finish line.

Taking first place was Kristin Andrews, a professional triathlete from Chevy Chase, with a time of 1:28:16. To complete the top five were Rebecca Newton of Camarillo, California, Washington, Jennifer, Elizabeth Flynn, Ellicott City, Frederick and Hannah Hanson.

Robin Kovach of Elkridge, a survivor of breast cancer, led to his daughter iron second.

"The first time I saw this race, a friend did. I watched her cross and her two daughters were there and ran through the finish line with him," said Kovach. "There are tears in my eyes to see all the support, so I said, 'I will do that."

Ferrell said that over the course of women to connect with each other and encourage each other to the finish. It was not the only runner who can run uphill on a test of its strength.

Gabrielle Descoteau of Columbia, running his daughter's second iron, said it's the hardest part. "Run far, the most difficult because it is past, and it is hilly," she said.

Other races Jamie Rogers, a paratriathlete Baltimore. Born with multiple birth defects, Rogers was active in sports all his life, but not even consider triathlon until she saw her running partner of the Iron Girl.

"I said, 'Maybe, maybe, if all these women can do it, I can do," said Rogers, who is below-knee prosthesis on his left leg.

"I'm slow, but I do because I love," said Rogers. "The Iron Girl is a positive statement for women trying to leave their comfort zone of the box. I'll be in good physical condition, and there are many positives about this, not only in terms of mental health and physical health, but healthy ways to manage stress and promote longevity. "